York: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour 24 & 48-Hour Pass

Board the Double-Decker & Set Your Own Pace Through Roman York

You board at Exhibition Square and choose your own stops across 21 locations, from Clifford's Tower to the National Railway Museum, over 24 or 48 hours. Audio commentary in nine languages and free headphones guide you through York's Roman and medieval history. The discount booklet saves money on meals and attractions, and your voucher stays valid for a full year.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore York by hop-on hop-off bus

• Start tour at Exhibition Square
• Visit Gillygate and Monk Bar
• Stop at Foss Bank and Peasholme Green
• See The Stonebow and Clifford's Tower
• Explore Margaret Street and Walmgate Bar
• Pass York Barbican and Fishergate
• Visit Bishopthorpe Road Shops and Bishopthorpe Road
• Travel through South Bank and Campleshon Road
• Stop at Blossom Street and The Mount
• See Mount Vale and Railway Station
• Visit Memorial Gardens and Museum Gardens

The experience

The bus pulls up at Exhibition Square at 9:28am on a spring morning, and you climb the open-top stairs to the second deck. That's where the hop-on hop-off tour of York really starts, not on a schedule someone else made, but on yours. You've got 24 or 48 hours to get off at any of the 21 stops, wander around Clifford's Tower or the York City Walls for as long as you want, then catch the next bus when you're ready. The audio commentary plays in nine languages, including a kids' version, and headphones are included, so you're not straining to hear over the traffic.

The route loops through everything: Monk Bar, Museum Gardens, the National Railway Museum, York Minster rising above the medieval streets, the Jorvik Viking Centre if you want to drop in. You'll pass Fairfax House, Barley Hall, the Chocolate Story museum: all the places that make York feel less like a modern city and more like stepping backward into something that's been here for nearly two thousand years. The open-top deck means you actually see the rooflines and the stone, not just the street level. In winter, buses run every 30 minutes. In summer, every 15. That matters if you're trying to time a stop at lunch or catch the light at a particular corner.

What makes this work is that you're not locked into a guide's pace or a fixed itinerary. You get off where something catches your eye, spend two hours in a museum or twenty minutes on the city walls, then hop back on whenever the next bus arrives. The voucher is valid for 12 months from your travel date, so if you book it now and life gets in the way, you've got time. The discount booklet that comes with it covers local restaurants, attractions and shops: small savings that add up if you're eating and moving around all day.

What’s included

Your pass includes unlimited hop-on hop-off access for 24 or 48 hours across 21 stops throughout York, on-board audio commentary in nine languages with free headphones, a kids' commentary option, and a discount booklet for local eateries, attractions and shops. The voucher is valid for 12 months from your selected travel date.

Options for this experience

2 options

24-Hour TicketGuide in English · No fixed time

48-Hour TicketGuide in English · No fixed time

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to Sunday

AgesAdult (16 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Child (5 to 15 years) · Infant (under 5): free

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese and Polish

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by City Sightseeing Ltd - UK and Ireland

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to explore York's main landmarks (from the Roman walls to York Minster) without booking separate transport or timing yourself to a guide's schedule. The flexibility to hop off and back on means you control how long you spend at each stop.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 15 years); Infant (under 5): free.

How often do the buses run?

Every 15 minutes in summer (late March to early September), every 20 minutes in spring and autumn, and every 30 minutes in winter. First bus departs around 9:30am depending on season. Last bus around 4:15–5:08pm.

Can I use the bus if I'm traveling with a stroller or wheelchair?

Yes. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller.

What languages is the audio commentary available in?

Nine languages, plus a separate kids' commentary. Headphones are provided.

Is there a discount booklet included?

Yes. You get a booklet with offers on local restaurants, attractions and shops.

How long is the full loop?

One complete circuit takes about 60 minutes, but you can hop off and on as many times as you want during your 24 or 48-hour window.

Does the tour operate every day?

It runs year-round, but there are blackout dates in November and December. Check the specific dates before booking.

Can I use a 24-hour voucher on a different date than I book?

Yes. Vouchers are valid for 12 months from your selected travel date, so you can book now and travel later.

What if I want to visit specific attractions like York Minster or the Chocolate Story?

The bus stops near all major attractions, but entry fees are separate. The discount booklet includes offers on many of them.